We Energies plans to install new gas main won’t interfere with Fredonia Ave. timetable, Lapicola says

Ever since the Village of Fredonia began planning the reconstruction of Fredonia Avenue, officials have been at odds with We Energies and the utility’s role in the project.

At first, the village balked at an estimate that it would cost more than $1 million to bury power lines that currently hang overhead along the village’s primary road.

Village President Chuck Lapicola said the feelings of ill-will further escalated following a recent meeting, at which We Energies officials asked that the road reconstruction be delayed to accommodate the installation of a new gas line. Work is slated to begin this summer.

Lapicola said utility officials told the village they intend to add a gas line on the south side of Fredonia Avenue. The existing gas line on the north side of the road would also be retained.

We Energies officials were reportedly surprised that the village was proceeding so quickly with the reconstruction of Fredonia Avenue.

The utility said it could take them as much as 10 weeks to complete the design work for the new gas line, followed by asmuch as 12 weeks to install the main.

That would push the utility work well into the anticipated road construction timetable, which is expected to start as soon as school gets out.

“They asked us to delay the road project for another year,” Lapicola said. “I told them no.”

He said the utility company has been oblivious to the village’s wishes throughout the construction planning.

“This is something that has been planned for at least two years. They will have to conform with our schedule,” Lapicola added.

“Time is running out on our road. It should have been replaced years ago.”

Delaying the road work would be virtually impossible, village officials noted, because the county financing is tied to the money being spent by the middle of next year.